Fogg attempts to circumnavigate the late Victorian world in 80 days or fewer, for a wager of £20,000 with members of London's Reform Club. He is accompanied by his French servant Jean Passepartout and followed by a detective named Fix, who suspects Fogg of having robbed the Bank of England and in the second half of the book helps Foggs in order to get him back to England. While in India, Fogg saves a widowed princess, Aouda, from Sati during her husband's funeral and she accompanies Fogg for the rest of his journey. She and Fogg eventually fall in love and marry at the end of the book.

Around the World in 80 Days was a BBC television travel series first broadcast in 1989. It was presented by comedian and actor Michael Palin, who followed Fogg's journey and modes of transport as closely as possible, and achieved the feat in 79 days 7 hours.